Mediterranean: The hotspot of climate change

• In the wake of the heat wave in Germany in recent days, the German press is intensely concerned with the manifestations of climate change and its implications for the economy. So, in the current climate, let's look at some of these publications that specifically concern Greece. Read the DW article...

The increase in temperature in the waters of the Mediterranean worries experts, as it leads to extreme weather phenomena, writes the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, pointing out that, although in Greece this year's temperatures are considered "mild" for the season, the sea temperature exceeds normal levels:

"The Mediterranean is warming about 20% faster than the oceans on the global average. This also makes it a 'hotspot' of climate change. This not only threatens many marine species. Météo-France warns that these high sea temperatures will lead to more 'tropical nights' in the Mediterranean, i.e. nights with high temperature and humidity. This increases the risk of extreme weather events.

(…) Greece has already experienced the consequences. After last week's brief heat wave, northern Greece was hit by strong storms, heavy rainfall and hail. Memories of September 2023 and the devastation of Storm Daniel are coming back.

Taz: It can't get any worse – or can it?
The beginning was in Chios, writes the newspaper TAZ, referring to this year's fires in Greece. As every year, authorities are preparing for the fire season, which begins on May 1 and lasts until October 31, it writes, noting, however, that despite fire prevention measures, “so far this year 7,208 hectares have already been burned by seven major fires in Greece. (…) This means that already now, well before the end of the Greek fire season, almost one-fifth of the total burned area for the whole of 2024 has been burned.”

What is literally triggering this situation, writes taz, is climate change: “In addition, at this time of year strong northerly winds, the meltemia, usually blow, which accelerate the spread of fires. (…) Even the vast concrete desert of Athens with its four million inhabitants is not safe,” the publication comments, recalling last year’s fires. “The Greeks think: It can’t get any worse – or can it?”, it concludes.

A day of heat equals… half a day of strike

Heat waves also affect economic performance. This is the conclusion of a study by the insurance company Allianz,” writes the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. As the publication points out, “a day with a temperature exceeding 32 degrees Celsius has the same effect (on the economy) as a strike lasting half a working day.

Heat waves could reduce global economic performance by 0.6 percentage points this year. And this is particularly affecting, according to the study, the European south. Thus, Spain's GDP is reduced by 1.4%, Italy's by 1.2% and Greece's by 1.1% (…). In the comparatively 'cool North', such as Germany, the losses are relatively small, just 0.1%.

Source: DW | Chrysa Vachtsevanou